Hanging Solar Mason Jar Lights: Dollar Tree DIY Craft Idea


Hello there! I recently made another batch of these hanging solar mason jar lights, so I updated this post to share them with you!

I’m excited to share how to make these solar mason jar lanterns with Dollar Tree supplies. I really wanted solar lights in our backyard, but they can be so expensive for attractive ones when you have a lot of ground to cover!

Dollar tree solar lights are tiny and flimsy by themselves, so I didn’t think they were a good solution. There are so many different versions of diy mason jar solar lights around Pinterest, and I was thrilled when I found the materials at a local Dollar Tree to make my own version of these beautiful​ hanging solar mason jar lights for just a few dollars!

Make a mason jar solar Lantern with simple supplies from the Dollar Tree. Who knew Dollar Tree solar lights fit inside mason jars?

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The day I was there, they had red, clear, and blue mason jars all ready to go WITH metal handles. Unfortunately, they had very few clear ones left. If you can’t find the hanging jars at your local Dollar Tree, you can just purchase a pack of mason jars with lids, and buy these simple jar hangers.

The Dollar Tree jars were plain, so it would actually look even better to use regular jars that say Ball or Mason. You could also make your own hangers with wire! Either way, these mason jar lanterns are still super easy and affordable to make!

Solar Mason Jar Lantern Supplies:

Shepherd’s hook plant hangers

Dollar tree plant hanger

Mason jars with jar handles

Solar lights

Mason Jar lids

Hot Glue or Silicone Adhesive

How to Assemble:

Remove the stake of the solar light and pull out the paper tab.

Slide the solar light into the canning rim lid until it is nearly flush.

Hot glue around the top rim circle where it meets the light. I’ll have to let you know how the hot glue holds up! Silicone caulk would be a more conventional option… but it was a short nap time and the glue gun was right there! Its been a few weeks and so far so good!

Update: If you leave these out for months and months like I do, definitely go with silicone! The hot glue held up, but I had water leakage issues with hard rains. Or to really simplify this project, there are mason jar solar lids available now in packs of six for a very reasonable price! 

Hot glue the rim to make hanging solar mason jar lights

Screw the newly glued solar lids onto the jars.  I had some glass pebbles in my craft box that I put in the bottom of the jars. The reflective quality of the pebbles really makes the light seem brighter!

I couldn’t wait for dark, so I went in the powder room with the lights off just to see.

Mason Jar lantern made with Dollar Tree supplies. Fun DIY craft idea for the garden

Now just put them on the shepherd’s hook plant hanger, and the beautiful new hanging solar mason jar lights are ready for sundown!

Hanging solar mason jar lantern with Dollar Tree plant hangers and solar lights. Easy low budget Garden DIY

I just loved seeing these lit up in the backyard. I have now made enough to outline the whole border!

easy diy solar mason jar lanterns

Update: It has been several seasons since I put together these Dollar Tree lights. To try something different, I have replaced a few that broke with ready made mason jar solar “fairy lights”. They cost about the same, and are so simple to assemble, even with two small children running around!

mason jar solar lights

They are wound up like this out of the package, and come with the wire handles. The solar panel is built into the jar rim already, so I simply unravel the strand and put them on the mason jar.

Here is how they look all lit up!

hanging solar mason jar lights, easy DIY garden craft

If you are looking for another budget garden project, check out the DIY garden cloches made with Dollar Tree trashcans to protect young plants from squirrels.

For more solar garden fun, check out this solar fountain, or solar garden chandelier!

I see tons of amazing ideas using these basic solar lights. From old chandeliers to lamps…I just love seeing all the creative ways you can use them! Have you made any fun solar lights for your yard?


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